I'm looking at a tri, and somebody has a weird definition of flat

[Archaea]

The Run: 13.1 miles, asphalt, flat with 3 challenging hills, ranging from 10-14% (not the same hills as found on the bike course) grade. The hills are approximately 300 yards to 880 yards in length. Partially shaded, tough, scenic course. No non-participant pacing allowed. Course cut-off time is 8 hours.
The Bike 56 miles, modified out and back, out of town farm to market roads, limited traffic, flat with 8 challenging hills, ranging from 8-13% grade and a quarter of a mile to 1.2 miles in length. These are good asphalt roads with some shoulders. ANSI approved helmets are required; No drafting allowed.

How can you have hills and still consider the course flat?

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by Archaea

How can you have hills and still consider the course flat?

I don't know, but out here the courses are universally advertised as flat. Regardless of accuracy, it's a way to get more people to show up. You will usually see the line: "The course is flat and very fast."

Occasionally you will see the addendum, "with two small hills."

[Archaea]

But what you call hills really aren't hills. Yes they have a steep grade but the length of them is nothing.

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by Archaea

But what you call hills really aren't hills. Yes they have a steep grade but the length of them is nothing.

Well, we don't have hills like, say, Montana has hills. Out here we get nervous trying to make it up the driveway.